Sky dome to close it's doors for good.

The next time that the Golf Sky Dome is deflated will be the last time. The sky dome is set to close it's doors April 18th's. This is not a late April fools joke either. The golf sky dome opened in 1998. There is already plans to replace the dome with six sand volleyball courts.

David Kolquist who owner the dome sited two reason's for the closer. The raise in cost of heating the dome and differences with city officials not allowing the dome to stay up year round. Mr. Kolquist is now looking for a buy of a ten year old dome. If you know of anyone I am sure he would like to hear from you.

I feel for Mr. Kolquist the man has been forced to take down a dome that has fast became a staple to the Hermantown and Duluth area. Many golfers used it to keep up on there game during our winter's.

I understand that the issue's with the city of Hermantown was a lesser issue then heating the place was. However as many know Duluth has many problems in dealing with officials and I think business's in Northern Minnesota face many challenges to succeed. Having to have justify your self every turn of the way to a city is not good policy. I understand that government needs to have some rules and regulations in place. My question however is who knows how to run your business better? You or the government, I think most people will say the person running the business does.

The city sited that fire codes stood in the way of leaving the dome up year round. Here is a question if there were supposed fire code issues would they not be in effect the three or four month that the dome stands? I wonder how much of this is the city thinks that dome is an eye sore. I would not buy that argument either.

I am going to try to get in touch with both Mr. Kolquist and some Hermantown officials and see if there would be willing to comment on this issue. In the mean time your thoughts welcome.